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Credit: Information is from observation as well as research compiled by Desert Survivors Native Plant Nursery (a great source for native plants in Tucson, AZ).

Celtis pallida, Desert Hackberry

Characteristics & CultureSize (H x W) 12 feet x 8 feet

Sonoran Desert Native?

Yes, Tucson basin and mountains

Native Elevation

1500-4000’

Hardiness 10 degrees F

Bloom Season Spring

Blossom Inconspicuous

Seasonality May drop leaves after severe freeze

Exposure Full sun to partial shade

Soils Tolerant - most soil types are acceptable

Water Low - benefits from water harvesting

Pruning None

Growth Rate Moderate with irrigation

Reseeds Readily

Wildlife BenefitsButterfly Larval Host Plant

Empress leila, Hackberry emperor, Tawny emperor, American snout

Moth Larval Host Plant

Small prominent moth, Randa’s eyed silk moth

Nectar Plant Native pollinators

Shelter / Nesting Site / Nest Materials for Birds

Essential habitat plant for native birds and wildlife. Dense, thorny shrub provides safe nesting and refuge.

Food for Birds Abundant orange fruits in fall feed numerous species of native birds.

Category: ShrubDescription Sonoran Desert MVP. This dense, evergreen, thorny shrub screens unwelcome views. Provides food and shelter to numerous species of birds, insects and other wildlife. Abundant orange fruits in the fall are edible by humans and wildlife.

Photo inset: Verdin nest in hackberry

Photo inset: American snout butterfly depositing eggs on hackberry



Lycium fremontii, Wolfberry




Native Elevation

1000 - 3500’


Bloom Season Opportunistically with rain, largest bloom in winter

Blossom Lavender

Seasonality Drought deciduous

Exposure Full sun to light shade


Water Low

Pruning None


Reseeds Infrequently


Unknown


Mexican agapema silkmoth, Sphinx, Prominent, Crambid

Nectar Plant Hummingbirds, butterflies, sphinx moths and other native pollinators


Shelter, nesting site and feeder in one

Food for Birds Berry favorite of Phainopepla and many other species

Category: ShrubDescription Sonoran desert MVP. An important source of food and shelter for wildlife. Dense, thorny shrub provides protected nesting spaces. One of the few winter flowering plants in the desert, the lavender tubular blooms feed hummingbirds and other pollinators. Large, orange berries in the spring provide food to numerous species of birds and animals.



Senegalia (Acacia) greggii, Catclaw Acacia




Native Elevation

Below 5000’


Bloom Season Spring

Blossom Cream

Seasonality Deciduous

Exposure Full sun


Water Low

Pruning None required

Growth Rate Slow

Reseeds Readily


Mexican yellow, Mimosa yellow, Reakirt’s blue, Marine blue


Hubbard’s small silkmoth, Tricolor buckmoth, Black witch moth, Owlet moths (3), Mesquite stinger flannel moth, Naval orange worm moth, Merry melipotis moth

Nectar Plant Many species of native pollinators


Nesting site for birds, cover for birds and other wildlife

Food for Birds Edible seed pods

Category: Shrub / TreeDescription Sonoran Desert MVP. Small tree with lots of character. Tough, recurved spines. Covered in deliciously scented, cream-colored flowers in spring. Provides food, shelter and nesting sites for birds and other wildlife. Excellent defensive plant for people.

Lucy’s warbler foraging for insects on catclaw acacia.



Vachellia (Acacia) constricta, Whitethorn Acacia




Native Elevation

1500-6500’

Hardiness -10 degrees F

Bloom Season Spring and late summer

Blossom Yellow; very fragrant

Seasonality Winter deciduous

Exposure Full sun to part shade


Water Low

Pruning None




Mexican yellow, Mimosa yellow, Reakirt’s blue


Black witch, Merry melipotis, Mesquite stinger flannel, Naval orangeworm

Nectar Plant Butterflies and other native pollinators


Key nesting/foraging/shelter plant for native birds and mammals

Food for Birds Hosts variety of insects for insectivores like the Verdin, Vireos and Warblers; seeds favored by Gambel’s quail

Category: ShrubDescription Sonoran Desert MVP. Deciduous medium shrub to small tree that provides vital habitat and food for many native birds, insects and mammals. Fragrant, yellow, puffball flower displays in spring and late summer.



Ziziphus obtusifolia, Graythorn




Native Elevation

1000-5000’


Bloom Season Spring, summer and fall depending on moisture

Blossom Yellow, inconspicuous

Seasonality Mostly deciduous in winter

Exposure Partial shade to full sun


Water Low

Pruning None

Growth Rate Slow



Unknown


Unknown

Nectar Plant Many species of native pollinators


Nesting site for birds, cover for birds and other wildlife

Food for Birds Berry favorite of Phainopepla

Category: ShrubDescription Sonoran Desert MVP. Erect, long branching shrub with stout thorns. Covered in black berries in the spring feasted upon by many species of bird. Provides shelter and nesting sites for birds.

celtis pallida, desert hackberrywilderla.com/assets/sonorandesertmvps.pdfsonoran desert mvp. an...

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